Peterborough United chalked up a vital victory at Mansfield Town as Barry Fry's men recorded an emphatic 5-1 win at Field Mill as Simon Rea, Leon McKenzie, Ian Hendon, Andy Clarke and Andrew Fotiadis fired Posh to all three points.

Mansfield got the game underway in front of a sizeable crowd at Field Mill, but it was Posh striker Andy Clarke who had the first effort of the game with a wayward volley, which flew well wide of Keith Welch's goal. A good through ball from Clarke found McKenzie racing towards goal at the angle, but the former Palace front man fired over the crossbar.

The deadlock was broken by Posh on eight minutes as centre back Simon REA rose highest to direct a header past Welch and into the corner of the net. The goal was a big boost for Posh and for Rea, who was rated as doubtful for the game with a groin injury.

Former Sheffield Wednesday defender Hendon drilled a cross-shot across the box on 12 minutes, but it didn't trouble Welch. Mansfield were given a great chance to get back into it from the penalty spot after Rea was adjudged to have handled and Wayne CORDEN coolly slotted home from the spot. The spot-kick was harshly given and not deserved as Posh had dominated the first quarter of an hour.

Corden floated a free-kick just over the top moments later as the home side began to get on top. Mansfield were dominating possession and piling on the pressure with Mendes looking lively on the right hand side of midfield, skipping past three challenges before taking a heavy touch.

At the other end, Clarke ballooned an effort over the crossbar after latching onto a clipped Jelleyman pass as Barry Fry's men tried to get the ball forward quickly. The pace of the game was relenting with both sides keen to get the ball into the opposition box with Mitchell and Christie both seeing shots blocked by Arber.

A mistake by Jelleyman at the far post nearly allowed Disley to nip in, but the ball drifted out of play for a goal-kick to the relief of the Welshman. Posh got their noses in front once more on 37 minutes as McKENZIE powered a header into the corner following Gill's precise cross.

Scott fired a deflected effort wide and from the resulting corner, the same player drilled a powerful drive just past the post. Posh got a third goal on the stroke of half time as HENDON got to the by-line and managed to chip the ball over Welch and into the roof of the net.

Mansfield made two changes at the break with Curle and Lawrence introduced into the fray as Mendes was pushed into attack. The Stags were certainly in control in the opening exchanges of the second half as Posh looked to hold onto what they have got.

Arber saw a header cleared off the line by Lawrence on 53 minutes following a Gill corner before Posh had claims for a penalty kick as Clarke tumbled over a Welch challenge. Tyler had to tip a Christie header over the top as the hosts piled on the pressure.

Posh boss Barry Fry introduced Andrew Fotiadis for McKenzie midway through the second half. McKenzie had worked tirelessly hard for the team and grabbed his fourth goal of the campaign. Clarke saw an effort blocked Eaton on 68 minutes as Posh went in search of a fourth goal.

Lawrence wasted a half-chance for the Stags moments later, but less than 60 seconds later Day denied Clarke as he raced onto a long Tyler goal-kick with a fine tackle. Shields found himself in the book for a rash challenge as Rea appeared to be struggling with a groin injury.

Posh were still pushing forward, but they would be delighted to settle for the 3-1 advantage they had with 15 minutes of the encounter remaining at Field Mill. Substitute Fotiadis beat the offside trap as the game entered the final 10 minutes, but his shot rolled inches past the far post to the disappointment of the Posh faithful behind the goal.

The game was wrapped up for Posh on 83 minutes as CLARKE raced onto another superb Gill pass before drilling the ball into the far corner of the net before celebrating with the travelling support. Boucaud came on for his Posh debut for the excellent Shields in the middle of the park as the match entered the final few moments.

Fotiadis nearly made it 5-1 as he connected with a Scott shot from just outside the penalty area, but Welch got back to palm the ball to safety. The former Luton Town striker did get his name on the score-sheet in stoppage time as FOTIADIS tapped home following a fine assist by substitute Farrell to seal the three points.